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Region On Alert For Escaped Prisoners

Ohiari:ha / June 16, 2015

Two prisoners escaped from a maximum security prison in Dannemora, New York on June 5, 2015 and remain at large. Richard Matt and David Sweat, both convicted murderers, are considered dangerous and a $100,000 reward has been offered to anyone who provides information leading to their capture.

Due to Akwesasne’s location along the U.S-Canada border and proximity to Dannemora (roughly 60 miles), the community is asked to be on alert for any suspicious activity or persons. Although the search effort has been focused on areas closer to Dannemora, Akwesasne community members should still exercise precautionary measures. Precautions that can be taken include keeping doors, vehicles, ATVs, and boats locked and secure, not stopping to offer rides to hitchhikers, and reporting any suspicious activity/people immediately to authorities.

Matt, age 48 is 6 feet tall and weighs 210 pounds. He has black hair and hazel eyes, He has a tattoo on his back that says “Mexico Forever,” hearts tattooed on his chest and left shoulder and a Marine Corps insignia tattooed on his right shoulder.

Sweat, age 34, is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 165 pounds. He has brown hair and green eyes, and has tattoos on his left biceps and his right fingers.

The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service has been in communication with officials from the search effort to be on alert should the search head north toward Akwesasne’s vicinity.

If you have any information to report regarding the escapees, please contact the New York State Police special tip line at 1-800-GIVETIP. For immediate local response please contact the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service at 613-575-2000 or the St. Regis Mohawk Police Department at 518-358-9200.